In the Instant Payments System, a transaction flow that allows a payee to request initiation of a payment from the payer is called a request to pay.

The Request to pay is not a payment facility or payment tool and is just a function to request initiation of payment.

The request to pay in the Instant Payments System may be as follows:

1. One person requests funds from another one.
2. Funds are requested by the institution or merchant in whose favor payment will be made.

Customer permit must be received to make a payment based on the request to pay. Depending on the type, the request is responded by the customer by approval or rejection within a certain timeframe. These requests may be maintained automatically based upon a prior agreement between the bank and the customer.

The process can be divided in the following steps irrespective the diversity and complexity of transfer and payment processes:

1. The request to pay is created and delivered to the payer.
2. The request to pay is either approved or rejected by the payer.
3. Payment is made in case the payer approves the request to pay.